Mister Y’s mysteries (part 7): Who is Ayesha Teladia?

For many years, the University of Cape Town has hosted a rather mysterious memorial. At the bottom of the Leslie Commerce building lies what appears to be a gravestone, or a marker of sorts. As seen in the picture, Haji Ayesha Teladia died in 1981 – living to be 56 years old.

The mysterious memory of Haji Ayesha Teladia

The question is: who was Ayesha Teladia? And why is this stone sitting here – in this position at a university – for so many years? I find it hard to fathom that she would actually be buried at this spot (since it’s not a Muslim graveyard), but I’ve never found answers to these questions…so I put it to the world (or at least those who find this post).

Shaykh Google refers to one or more (seemingly) currently-living person/people of the same name – but the one in question has been dead for 31 years.

Links

Beyond Hajj
My other blog, focussing on my Hajj journey, and written for a multi-faith audience

Bridges Foundation
An organization that aims to open communication channels to narrow the gap of understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims; through educating both sides about the culture of the other.